Light oxygen isotopes in mantle-derived magmas reflect assimilation of sub-continental lithospheric mantle material

Oxygen isotope ratios in mantle-derived magmas that differ from typical mantle values are generally attributed to crustal contamination, deeply subducted crustal material in the mantle source or primordial heterogeneities. Here we provide an alternative view for the origin of light oxygen-isotope signatures in mantle-derived magmas using kimberlites, carbonate-rich magmas that assimilate mantle debris during ascent. Olivine grains in kimberlites are commonly zoned between a mantle-derived core and a magmatic rim, thus constraining the compositions of both mantle wall-rocks and melt phase. Secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) analyses of olivine in worldwide kimberlites show a remarkable correlation between mean oxygen-isotope compositions of cores and rims from mantle-like 18O/16O to lower ‘crustal’ values. This observation indicates that kimberlites entraining low-18O/16O olivine xenocrysts are modified by assimilation of low-18O/16O sub-continental lithospheric mantle material. Interaction with geochemically-enriched domains of the sub-continental lithospheric mantle can therefore be an important source of apparently ‘crustal’ signatures in mantle-derived magmas.

Pityusa Patera, Mars: Structural analyses suggest a mega-caldera above a magma chamber at the crust-mantle interface

Pityusa Patera is the southernmost of four paterae in the 1.2 × 106 km2 wrinkle-ridged plains-dominated Malea Planum region of Mars. Based on their texture, morphology, and uniqueness to Pityusa Patera, we interpret layered, folded massifs as pyroclastic deposits emplaced during patera formation as a collapse caldera. Such deposits would not be expected in a previously suggested scenario of patera formation by subsidence from lithospheric loading. Our structural measurements and modeling indicate that the folding and high relief of the massifs resulted from ~1.3%–6.9% of shortening, which we show to be a reasonable value for a central plug sagging down into an assumed piston-type caldera. According to a previously published axisymmetric finite-element model, the extent of shortening structures on a caldera floor relative to its total diameter is controlled by the roof depth of the collapsed magma chamber beneath it, which would imply Pityusa Patera formed above a chamber at 57.5–69 km depth. We interpret this value to indicate a magma chamber at the crust-mantle interface, which is in agreement with crust-penetrating ring fractures and mantle flows expected from the formation of the Hellas basin. As such, the folded massifs in Pityusa Patera, which are partially superposed by ca. 3.8 Ga wrinkle-ridged plains, should consist of primordial mantle material, a theory that might be assessed by future hyperspectral observations. In conclusion, we do not favor a formation by load-induced lithospheric subsidence but suggest Pityusa Patera to be one of the oldest extant volcanic landforms on Mars and one of the largest calderas in the solar system, which makes the folded, likely mantle-derived deposits on its floor a prime target for future exploration.

Mass balance of the Antarctic ice sheet 1992–2016: reconciling results from GRACE gravimetry with ICESat, ERS1/2 and Envisat altimetry

GRACE and ICESat Antarctic mass-balance differences are resolved utilizing their dependencies on corrections for changes in mass and volume of the same underlying mantle material forced by ice-loading changes. Modeled gravimetry corrections are 5.22 times altimetry corrections over East Antarctica (EA) and 4.51 times over West Antarctica (WA), with inferred mantle densities 4.75 and 4.11 g cm−3. Derived sensitivities (Sg, Sa) to bedrock motion enable calculation of motion (δB0) needed to equalize GRACE and ICESat mass changes during 2003–08. For EA, δB0 is −2.2 mm a−1 subsidence with mass matching at 150 Gt a−1, inland WA is −3.5 mm a−1 at 66 Gt a−1, and coastal WA is only −0.35 mm a−1 at −95 Gt a−1. WA subsidence is attributed to low mantle viscosity with faster responses to post-LGM deglaciation and to ice growth during Holocene grounding-line readvance. EA subsidence is attributed to Holocene dynamic thickening. With Antarctic Peninsula loss of −26 Gt a−1, the Antarctic total gain is 95 ± 25 Gt a−1 during 2003–08, compared to 144 ± 61 Gt a−1 from ERS1/2 during 1992–2001. Beginning in 2009, large increases in coastal WA dynamic losses overcame long-term EA and inland WA gains bringing Antarctica close to balance at −12 ± 64 Gt a−1 by 2012–16.

Unusual mineralogical features and origin of the mantle substratum Nakyn kimberlite fields (Yakutia)

<p>Detail study kimberlites and mantle xenoliths from Nakyn field pipes has revealed their unusual, interesting and important mineralogical features. Absence of Megacrystic picroilmenites of is compensated by presence of large orange-red titanium pyropes of "megacryst" type, underlining the reduced character asthenospheric melts influences on the mantle lithosphere in Nakyn. Picroilmenite in Nakyn kimberlites present only in xenoliths eclogites, garnet peridotites and clinopyroxenites with directive structures attributed to zones of melt fluid interaction. The clinopyroxene composition referred to Cr-omfacite, c (instead of Cr-diopside) suggest the Na-Al oceanic spilitic metasomatism at subduction stage or later interaction of the mantle material with the subducted pelitic sediments which is in accord with the presence of Al-rich eclogites wide distribution of the wehrlitic associations may suggest carbonatitic metasomatism. Cr- diopsides occurred in the peridotites with primary magmatic textures.</p><p>Absence of picroilmenite megacrysts in Nakyn kimberlites is filled with presence of large orange-red titanious-pyropes of "megacryst" associations, underlining the reduced character astenospheric influences on the mantle substratum of area</p><p>Picroilmenites in Nakyn kimberlites are present only in xenoliths of eclogites, and garnet peridotites and clinopyroxenites with, directive structures related to the zones of the metasomatism or melt interaction. The picroilmenite compositions from these rock inclusions sharply differs from composition of picroilmenite typical "megacryst" associations the raised contents of the titanium and the lowest share hematite component. In the same types mantle rocks is unusual also the composition of clinopyroxene: omphacite, chrome-omphacite (but not chrome-diopside) suggesting the high activity of the Na-Al metasomatism probably related to the oceanic spilitic metasomatism. The important participation in their formation of subduction processes allows to assume the specific features of a structure, mineral composition and composition of minerals of these rock inclusions.</p><p>Th ALCREMITE and MARID associations probably refer to the interaction of the lamprophyric Al2O3, H2O rich melts with peridotites or interaction of mica bearing Al, alkali rich sediments with peridotites. . The Botuobinskaya and Mayskaya kimberlite pipes contain essential amount of color a green garnets of different shades and compositions, that are very rare in worldwide kimberlites. It specifies on intensive influence of processes "calcium" (“chrome-calcium” and the “titanium–chrome-calcium”) metasomatism in mantle lithosphere</p><p><img src="https://contentmanager.copernicus.org/fileStorageProxy.php?f=gepj.c78cc1a3fdff57948740161/sdaolpUECMynit/12UGE&app=m&a=0&c=3c81a036683b53d2fa801210cd6674a4&ct=x&pn=gepj.elif&d=1" alt=""></p><p><img src="https://contentmanager.copernicus.org/fileStorageProxy.php?f=gepj.041a7fb3fdff57258740161/sdaolpUECMynit/12UGE&app=m&a=0&c=e223b463964dafd811fdb9bcf1d1cf94&ct=x&pn=gepj.elif&d=1" alt=""></p><p><img src="https://contentmanager.copernicus.org/fileStorageProxy.php?f=gepj.573044e3fdff54658740161/sdaolpUECMynit/12UGE&app=m&a=0&c=15da5e6bc74fe792450dfb38d30b4f5e&ct=x&pn=gepj.elif&d=1" alt=""></p>

Lithosphere flexure estimation of an non-uniform flexural rigidity plate：A quantitative modeling approach

<p>Lithosphere motion is one of the fundamental processes in Earth tectonics. To understand the processes involving the nature of tectonic evolution and dynamics, it is critical to figure out the lithosphere flexure of tectonic plates. Over long-term (> 10<sup>5</sup> yr) geological timescales, the lithosphere can be modelled as flexing like a thin, elastic plate, using the partial differential equation for flexure of an orthotropic plate. The partial differential equation is used indirectly to form theoretical admittance and coherence curves, which are then compared against the observed admittance and coherence to invert a non-uniform flexural rigidity (or effective elastic thickness, <em>T<sub>e</sub></em>) plate. The non-uniform flexural rigidity lithosphere flexure amplitude can be estimated after that.</p><p>In this presentation, we use the classic lithosphere model with applied surface load at ground and internal load at Moho, but assume that the compensation material is denser than the mantle material beneath Moho. The density contrast between compensation material and mantle material beneath Moho is set to be 200 kg/m<sup>3</sup> referring to the density contrast of the uppermost and bottom lithosphere mantle. In such a lithosphere model, errors of lithosphere flexure estimation are mainly contributed by the errors of<em> T<sub>e</sub> </em>and Moho recovering. Synthetic modelling is then performed to analyze the incoming influence deriving from<em> T<sub>e</sub></em> and Moho errors.</p><p>The synthetic modelling reflects 1) the lithosphere flexure estimation errors are not sensitive to the errors of <em>T<sub>e </sub></em>recovering, even an error of about 10 km of <em>T<sub>e </sub></em>only result in an error within 1km of lithosphere flexure, 2) the influence of Moho errors to lithosphere flexure errors will be magnified in regions where <em>T<sub>e</sub> </em>is low, as lithosphere flexure errors over 1km mainly occur in regions where <em>T<sub>e</sub></em> is lower than 8km.</p>

Petrogenesis of Granitic Rocks in the Hisakajima Island, Goto Archipelago, Southwestern Japan: A Geochemical Study

Whole-rock chemical compositions including rare earth elements for the granitic rocks from the Hisakajima Island, Goto Archipelago, southwestern Japan were measured in order to constrain their origin and petrogenesis. The granites were divided into two types—a granodioritic group (GD) and a high Fe/Mg ratio granitic group (HFG). The granitic magma was formed by the upwelling of high-temperature mantle material, which might be related to the extension of the Japan Sea around the Middle Miocene. The origin of the GD magma was attributed to the mantle material, while the origin of the HFG magma was attributed to partial melting of the crust by upwelling of the high-temperature mantle. The amount of rare earth elements revealed the secondary addition of light rare earth elements through hydrothermal processes for the granites. Chondrite normalized rare earth element patterns revealed that the HFG rocks were not well differentiated.

Studying the Stability of the K/Ar Isotopic System of Phlogopites in Conditions of High T, P: 40Ar/39Ar Dating, Laboratory Experiment, Numerical Simulation

Typically, 40Ar/39Ar dating of phlogopites from deep-seated xenoliths of kimberlite pipes produces estimates that suggest much older ages than those when these pipes were intruded. High-pressure (3 GPa) laboratory experiments enabled the authors to explore the behaviour of argon in the phlogopite structure under the conditions that correspond to the mantle, at the temperatures (from 700 to 1000 °С), far exceeding closure temperature of the K/Ar isotopic system. “Volume diffusion” remains foremost for describing the mobility of argon in phlogopite at high pressures. The mantle material age can be estimated through the dating of the phlogopites from deep-seated xenoliths of kimberlites, employing the 40Ar/39Ar method, subject to correction for a partial loss of radiogenic 40Ar when xenolith moves upwards to the Earth’s surface. The obtained data served as the basis for proposing the behaviour model of the K/Ar isotopic system of minerals in conditions of great depths (lower crust, mantle), and when transporting xenoliths in the kimberlite melt.

Study and Diagnostics of Convergent Rocks on the Example of Carbonated Fluid-Explosive Ultramaphic Dyke Complex (Middle Timan)

Fluid-explosive rocks of the dike complex are identified in the Middle Timan. The rocks have convergent properties due to a combination of explosive and metasomatic processes. The study of the petrographic features of the rocks revealed their explosive nature. Further study of the chemical composition of rock-forming minerals established the source of the mantle material and the paragenetic relationship with carbonatite magmatism. The fluid-explosive rocks of the dyke complex have a long-term multistage formation history. The fluids caused fenitization of the host strata and its disintegration. Solid-gas material of the mantle-crustal compound fills the cracks. At the last stage of formation of fluid-explosive rocks, the rare-metal, rare-earth, and sulfide mineralization took place.

The Guaviare Complex: new evidence of Mesoproterozoic (ca. 1.3 Ga) crust in the Colombian Amazonian Craton

The Guaviare Complex is a new unit defined in the Colombian Amazonian Craton, which is part of the Precambrian basement located in southeastern Colombia. It is divided into three units according to their textural and compositional characteristics, termed Termales Gneiss, Unilla Amphibolite, and La Rompida Quartzite. Termales Gneiss rocks are petrographically classified as gneisses and quartz-feldspar granofels, with the local formation of blastomylonite-like dynamic rocks. The Unilla Amphibolite consists of only amphibolites, and La Rompida Quartzite consists of muscovite quartzites, quartz-feldspar granofels, and quartz-muscovite schists. The protoliths of Termales Gneiss and Unilla Amphibolite were formed in the Mesoproterozoic at 1.3 Ga due to bimodal magmatism (felsic and mafic) derived from mantle material, with some crust contamination that was probably related to the formation of extensional arcs associated with trans-arc basins in the NW section of the Amazon Craton. La Rompida Quartzite rocks originated from sediments derived from granite rocks and from other, older areas of the craton. These rocks have a maximum age of 1.28 Ga. The low-to-medium grade metamorphism that affected these units occurred from 1.28 to 0.6 Ga, most likely concurrently with the Putumayo orogeny of approximately 1.0 Ga, although it may have been an independent event.